2003
Captain Jack Aubrey of the HMS Surprise is tasked with intercepting the French privateer Acheron off the coast of Brazil. The Acheron ambushes the Surprise, severely damaging the ship and forcing the crew to undertake extensive repairs, during which Midshipman Lord Blakeney loses an arm. After a long pursuit through treacherous storms and doldrums, the crew's morale plummets, leading to the suicide of Midshipman Hollom, who was believed to be a Jonah. The Surprise finally reaches the Galapagos Islands, where Stephen Maturin, the ship's surgeon and naturalist, is accidentally shot while exploring.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film opens by introducing HMS Surprise at sea and its crew, establishing the dual pursuits of naval command and scientific inquiry.
Open full beat sheetJack Aubrey is listed as Captain of the HMS Surprise. Heavy-set man in his thirties, thick blonde hair, unique sense of humor. In the parsed data, Jack Aubrey is connected to 60 scenes, 121 dialogue lines, 121 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
60 scenes / 121 dialogue linesStephen Maturin is listed as Ship's Surgeon and Naturalist. Keen naturalist, friend to Jack, scientific, philosophical. In the parsed data, Stephen Maturin is connected to 43 scenes, 64 dialogue lines, 64 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
43 scenes / 64 dialogue linesLord Blakeney is listed as Midshipman. Young officer, loses an arm in battle, brave. In the parsed data, Lord Blakeney is connected to 23 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
23 scenes / 25 dialogue linesKillick is listed as Captain's Servant. Pig-tailed, ear-ringed man of indeterminate age. In the parsed data, Killick is connected to 23 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
23 scenes / 11 dialogue linesHollom is listed as Midshipman. Sensitive-looking, older midshipman, plagued by bad luck. In the parsed data, Hollom is connected to 19 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
19 scenes / 13 dialogue linesTom Pullings is listed as 1st Lieutenant. Pleasant open face marred by a diagonal sabre scar. In the parsed data, Tom Pullings is connected to 19 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
19 scenes / 11 dialogue linesPeter Calamy is listed as Midshipman. Young officer, rival and friend to Blakeney. In the parsed data, Peter Calamy is connected to 17 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
17 scenes / 18 dialogue linesMowett is listed as 2nd Lieutenant. Short tubular man in his early 20s, poet. In the parsed data, Mowett is connected to 16 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
16 scenes / 12 dialogue linesNagel is listed as Carpenter. Skilled carpenter. In the parsed data, Nagel is connected to 14 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
14 scenes / 7 dialogue linesBonden is listed as Helmsman. London cockney with a boxer's face. In the parsed data, Bonden is connected to 13 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
13 scenes / 9 dialogue linesJoe Plaice is listed as Foremast hand. One of the oldest men on board, suffers head injury. In the parsed data, Joe Plaice is connected to 13 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
13 scenes / 8 dialogue linesAwkward Davies is listed as Foremast hand. Strong, tattooed, loyal crewman. In the parsed data, Awkward Davies is connected to 10 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
10 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_19 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_19 is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesWarley is listed as Maintop Captain. Skilled sailor, dies in storm. In the parsed data, Warley is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesPadeen is listed as Surgeon's Assistant. Giant manservant. In the parsed data, Padeen is connected to 7 scenes, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_17 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_17 is connected to 6 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 83.
6 scenes / 6 dialogue linesHiggins is listed as Assistant Surgeon. Jittery, alcoholic. In the parsed data, Higgins is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue lineschar_18 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_18 is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesHoward is listed as Captain of Marines. Big red-faced man, loves sport. In the parsed data, Howard is connected to 5 scenes, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_20 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_20 is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 125.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesThe HMS Surprise is introduced at sea off the coast of Brazil.
Captain Jack Aubrey studies charts while Killick serves him.
Jack Aubrey, KillickMidshipmen argue over a game of marbles while Hollom plays guitar.
Lord Blakeney, Peter Calamy, HollomJack Aubrey discusses the mission with Pullings.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, BondenJack visits Stephen to discuss his scientific work and future plans.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen MaturinThe crew spots an enemy ship in the fog.
Peter Calamy, HollomOld Sponge repairs the cutter with Young Sponge's help.
Joe Plaice, PadeenThe crew works on repairs including a new rudder and stern post.
Nagel, Howard, Awkward DaviesBlakeney wakes up from a nightmare about his injury.
Lord Blakeney, Peter CalamyStephen examines Blakeney's wound.
Stephen Maturin, Peter CalamyStephen amputates Blakeney's arm.
Lord Blakeney, Peter Calamy, Stephen Maturin, PadeenBlakeney realizes his arm is gone.
Lord Blakeney, Peter CalamyMowett inspects the ship's repairs.
MowettStephen performs trepanning on Joe Plaice.
Stephen Maturin, Joe Plaice, Awkward DaviesThe ship prepares to weigh anchor.
Jack AubreyJack orders the ship to weigh anchor.
Jack Aubrey, char_18The crew rushes to their stations.
HollomMowett reports the anchor is ready.
MowettMen work the capstan.
The anchor is raised.
Sails are hoisted.
char_19Hollar watches the sails fill.
char_19The ship sails.
Jack checks the ship's speed.
Jack Aubrey, BondenThe ship powers past.
Killick prepares food while music plays.
KillickJack and Stephen play music.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen MaturinThe ship fires a broadside.
The crew practices firing.
Jack Aubrey, Mowett, Lord Blakeney, Peter Calamy, HollomStephen collects specimens.
Stephen Maturin, Mowett, Tom PullingsThe crew continues firing practice.
Jack Aubrey, MowettThe ship fires at targets.
MowettPowder-monkeys race to supply the guns.
Stephen documents his specimens.
Stephen MaturinMowett times the firing.
MowettJack has dinner.
Jack Aubrey, KillickThe crew celebrates.
Joe Plaice, BondenJack hosts a dinner for officers.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, Mowett, Lord Blakeney, char_18, Stephen MaturinJoe Plaice speaks.
Joe Plaice, BondenOfficers have coffee.
Stephen MaturinMidshipmen sing.
Peter CalamyJack and Blakeney listen to the singing.
Jack Aubrey, Lord Blakeney, Hollom, Stephen MaturinKillick and Nagel sing.
Killick, NagelThe ship sails on.
The ship sails into colder waters.
Jack and Allen study charts.
Jack Aubrey, char_18, Killick, Nagel, WarleyThe ship communicates with a Spanish merchantman.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen MaturinStephen comforts Blakeney.
Stephen Maturin, Lord BlakeneyWarley spots a sail.
WarleyJack rushes to the deck.
Jack Aubrey, KillickJack inspects the distant ship.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, WarleyView of the distant ship.
Jack and Pullings return to deck.
Jack Aubrey, Tom PullingsJack orders the chase.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, char_19, Lord Blakeney, Peter CalamyThe ship gains speed.
Mowett, Jack Aubrey, Peter CalamyThe ship heels over.
The crew watches the captain.
Warley, Awkward Davies, Joe PlaiceJack decides to chase.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, HowardThe wind increases.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, HowardThe two ships race.
The ship runs before the sea.
Jack Aubrey, KillickThe crew discusses the chase.
Higgins, Awkward Davies, Joe PlaiceThe storm worsens.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin, char_19, Hollom, WarleyWarley works on the mast.
Warley, HollomThe mast breaks.
Warley, BondenJack tries to save the ship.
Jack Aubrey, Tom Pullings, Bonden, Awkward Davies, NagelThe ship is flooded.
char_19Jack cuts the wreckage free.
Jack Aubrey, NagelKillick and Black Bill talk.
KillickJack and Stephen have wine.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen MaturinKillick and Black Bill discuss the 'Jonah' on board.
KillickJack and Stephen discuss the death of Warley and the morale of the crew.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen MaturinHollom directs men working on the temporary mizzen mast.
Hollom, NagelJack and Pullings discuss the ship's course.
Jack Aubrey, Tom PullingsThe ship sails south through harsh winds.
The ship reaches icy waters; Mowett recites poetry.
Stephen Maturin, Mowett, char_17The ship sails past icebergs.
Hollar wakes the crew for their watch.
char_19Jack announces the turn northward to the Galapagos.
Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin, Tom Pullings, Killick, char_18The ship is becalmed; Jack swims around it.
Jack Aubrey, Tom PullingsYou have every chance. You hear me every chance. Only the other day I heard the captain singing your praises. Your courage, your fortitude in battle, your skill at logarithms and double elevations whatever they may be. And when you are rated lieutenant you shall have someone to tie your bootlaces for you. Aye and help you with your jacket. Here take my handkerchief. I believe we are summonsed to dinner.
You can be as 'satiric' as you like, Stephen, but I have my orders. She is attacking our whalers. For why? Without whales we have no boot polish, nor any soap, nor oil for our lamps, not to oil our sabres and muskets. Destroying our whalers could win the war for Napoleon. Which is why we must catch this Acheron. As a man of learning surely you can see that.
It's the Jonah causing it. That howling thing is a signal to the Phantom-Ship. He's calling it up, don't you see? Every time he's on watch the ship appears. You wait and see, the ghost-ship will appear any time tonight, and take us all straight to the hot-place.
Our brotherhood, some old, some new. In blood baptized, in strength renewed. In purpose unified and true. All thoughts of home forsaken. Where duty leads us, there we go. Nor rest nor comfort shall we know. Until the unrepentant foe, is boarded sunk or taken
I've tried to get to know the men a bit, Sir, be friendly like, but they've taken a set against me. Always whispering when I go past, giving me looks. But, I'll set that to rights, be tougher on them from now on.
That you are not accustomed to defeat Jack. That you have taken it too personally. That chasing this larger, faster ship, with its long guns, is beginning to smack of pride 'which goeth before destruction'?
You know my father was a great fighting captain. It was always his expectation I would follow in his footsteps. I worry that with this arm I will now be good for nothing but book learning and philosophy.
I don't say it will be easy. She's twice the men we have and they'll sell their lives dearly. But every man here is worth three of Boney's privateers, and I know there's not a faint heart among you.
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